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Radioactivity is
Radioactivity is the
the spontaneous
spontaneous
disintegration of
disintegration of atomic
atomic nuclei.
nuclei. The
The
nucleus emits
nucleus emits α(alpha) particles, ß(beta)
α(alpha) particles, ß(beta)
particles, or
particles, or electromagnetic
electromagnetic rays
rays
(Gamma Rays)
(Gamma Rays) during
during this
this process.
process.

After decaying radioactive atoms

“change” into other atoms

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Why does the atom do this?

– the nucleus attempts to become more stable
• 1. can create a new element
• 2. a new form of the original element (isotope)
appears.
– this process is referred to as the decay of
atoms.
• The rate of Radioactive decay is described in
half-lives.
half-lives
5 Energyis released during
radioactive decay
TED ed: Radioactivity: Expect the Unexpected
6 Types of Nuclear
Radiation
• When an unstable nucleus
decays, particles and
energy are given off from
the decaying nucleus.

• α (Alpha) and β (Beta)

radiation is in the form of
particles

• γ (Gamma) radiation is in the

form of waves
– kind of like light but higher
frequency
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Nuclear Decay

2 protons & 2 neutrons

Neutron decays into a proton &

an electron is given off

Only Energy is release

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• Alpha particles
Emission What will stop it Hazardous?

2 Protons + 2 Piece of paper or 1st Only in inhaled or

Neutrons layer of skin ingested

(equivalent to a Will effect sensitive

Helium nucleus) cells such as lungs,
liver and bones
Examples of Alpha
Decay
1• Beta particles
0 Emission What will stop it Hazardous? Extra

1 e- charge Clothing If inhaled or Unstable

A few ingested Neutron will
(equivalent 1 centimeters of Can cause decay into a
electron) wood damage to proton
skin if
exposed long
enough
 Examples of Beta Decay

Beta Decay
with
Gamma
Radiation
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• Gamma rays
Emission What will stop it Hazardous?

Electromagnetic Penetrates matter Very hazardous

waves (energy) easily
Stopped by water,
(like light, radio or thick layers of
TV but must faster) concrete or lead

•However, gamma radiation often accompanies

alpha and beta emission, which do change the
element's identity.
•Gamma rays have the highest penetrating power.
Gamma
Radiation
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Biological Effects of Radiation:
radiation causes physical damage to
cells and DNA.
Radiation can result in the destruction on
the DNA backbone (Helix).
At high doses (10,000 - 15,000 rads),
death occurs in a few hours because of
neurological and cardiovascular breakdown
(Central Nervous Syndrome).
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Biological Effects of Radiation:
Medium dose, (500 - 1200 rads)
 causes death to occur in a few days because
of the destruction of the gastrointestinal tract

Lower doses (250 - 500 rads)

causes death to occur after several
weeks due to damage of the blood
forming organs (hematopoietic syndrome).
 Radiation is used positively in a variety of ways
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Medicine
•For example, radiation and radioactive tracers are used to
diagnose and treat medical problems.
•A radioactive tracer is a radioactive isotope that is
added to a substance so that the substance can be
detected later.
•Radioactive tracers are used to
•locate tumors
•study the functioning of a particular organ
•monitor the flow of blood.
•For example, radioactive iodine-131 is used to
diagnose thyroid problems.
•Radiation therapy (used
( to treat cancer) involves the use
of radioactive isotopes such as gold-198 or iridium-192.
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Industry 6

•Manufacturers use radiation to check the thickness

of metal containers by measuring the amount of
radiation that passes through.

•Small amounts of radioactive isotopes, like

magnesium-28, can be introduced in a water source to
determine the flow of underground water or to
determine if an underground water system is leaking.

•Radioactive isotopes are even used in smoke alarms.

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7 Generate electrical power
Nuclear fission is used to
generate electricity as an
alternative energy source.

Dating- finding the age

Even the age of fossils or
rocks can be determined by
using radioactive isotopes.
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8 Fission and Fusion
Fission Fusion

Splitting a nucleus Combining of two nuclei.

 Fission VS Fusion
• Fission VS Fusion
• Youtube
•Nuclear power can 19

come from the fission of

uranium, plutonium or
thorium or the fusion of
hydrogen into helium.
•Today it is almost all
uranium.
•The fission of an atom
of uranium produces 10
million times the energy
produced by the
combustion of an atom
of carbon from coal.
•Chain Reaction video
clip:
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0 Issues for Fission Power Plants
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•Need for a spent fuel disposal facility

and a decommissioning plan
•Use of large amounts of water for
cooling purposes–thermal pollution
•Biological impacts on the ocean due to
thermal discharge (if seawater cooling is
used)
•Public safety concerns
Bill Nye Clip
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FUSION
•Fusion reaction: occurs when nuclei of light elements
are forced together at extremely high temperatures
until they fuse into nuclei of heavier elements and
release enormous amounts of energy.
•Issues: The fuel must be heated in the form of
plasma (a highly ionized gas) to a very high
temperature.
 Identify each type of reaction…alpha, beta, gamma, fusion or
fission...write your answers below your crossword on the ½ sheet.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.
2 Half Life is the amount of time it takes
2 for half of the nuclei in a sample to decay

Bill Nye Explains Half Life

Mass
(kg)
 12
C 14
C
mass number 13
C
• Carbon occurs naturally in three
isotopes.
• All of these atoms have the same
number of protons but different
numbers of neutrons.
• The number of neutrons and protons
determines the mass, so the masses
are different.
• 14C is radioactive.
 14
C

• Radioactive 14C acts chemically just like

12C, so it becomes incorporated into plants

an animals.
• When the animal/plant dies the 14C begins
to decay into 14N at a know rate, so we
can determine how long ago the organism
died.
• This is called Carbon Dating.
• It’s only good for about 50,000 years.
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6 • The half life of 14C is 5,730 years.
• If a sample originally contained
100 g, how much would be left
after 11,460 years?
50g 25g
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 Older Dating Methods
• The isotopes 235U and 238U
can be used to date objects
billions of years old.
• 235U has a half life of 704
million years.
• 238U has a half life of 4.5
billion years.
• Mainly used for rocks.
Geiger Counter
• Used to
measure
radiation.
• The more
intense the
radiation the
more “clicks”.